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The Crystal Beach Crab Festival, known also as the Annual Texas Crab Festival, is a summer event that usually takes place at Gregory Park on the Texas Gulf Coast. Traditionally, the highlight of the festival is seafood, and in particular crab that is indigenous to the waters of the Gulf Coast. Crystal Beach hosted its 25th annual festival in June 2010.

Festival Attractions

Crab and seafood goodies at the festival usually range from crab legs and crab cakes to soft-shell crabs, crab gumbo, crab nachos and barbecue crabs. Special events include crab races, the Texas Crab Fest Wiener Dog Nationals, a crab legs contest, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments. The festival also offers rides and games, a kids stage with free entertainment and activities. Raffles and craft booths with handicrafts created by local artists round out the attractions. Adding to the festive atmosphere is continuous live music and dancing under the covered pavilion. Other area attractions include swimming, water slides, jet skiing, fishing, bird watching and golf.

Where To Stay

Festival visitors can rent cottages for a family or group stay or opt for bed-and-breakfast or motel stays. The Casa Blanca on Crystal Beach offers suite, ocean view and bayside accommodations. Out By The Sea Bed and Breakfast features rooms with private baths and amenities including satellite TV and free Wi Fi:

Casa Blanca on Crystal Beach

2522 E. Howell Dr.

Crystal Beach, TX 77650

(575) 305-0028

Out By The Sea

2134 Vista

Crystal Beach, TX 77650

409-684-1555

outbythesea.com

Area motels include:

Crystal Palace

1600 Hwy 87

Crystal Beach, TX 77650

409-684-6554

Paradise Oasis Motel

1020 Hwy 87

Crystal Beach, TX 77650

409-684-6152

Gulfway Motel

1365 Hwy 124

High Island, TX 77623

409-286-5217

Festival Venue Profile

Crystal Beach is located on the Bolivar Peninsula, a 27-mile strip of land situated between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Coast waters are home to the blue crab, which is central to the crab festival. Crystal Beach is one of five residential beach house clusters on Bolivar with mostly weekend and holiday homes. Originally called Patton Beach, this area was a railroad stop until the early 1940s when rail services ceased, and its name became Crystal Beach. Visitor facilities at Crystal Beach include restaurants, grocery stores, a bank, gift shops and convenience stores. Free ferry services provide access between Bolivar and Galveston Island three miles away.

Historical Setting

Festival visitors might also enjoy exploring the area's history. Bolivar was home to the Karankawa and Orcoquisa native Americans thousands of years ago. In 1528, the Spanish explorer, Cabeza de Vaca described Texas for the first time from his perspective on Bolivar. In later years, rebels and pirates used Bolivar as their base, and African slaves trekked from Galveston to the Sabine River enroute to the sugar plantations of Louisiana.

Festival Updates

The three-day Crystal Beach Crab Festival usually kicks off on a Friday evening and closes on a Sunday evening. The dates of this annual festival vary. For up-to-the-minute information about the festival, contact:

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About the Author

Based in Northern California, Maureen Katemopoulos has been a freelance writer for more than 25 years. Her articles on travel, the arts, cuisine and history have appeared in publications such as "Stanislaus Magazine," "Orientations," "The Asia Magazine" and "The Peninsula Group Magazine." She holds a Baccalaureate degree in journalism from Stanford University.

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